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Yet another service for this town. Sheesh, how many did they need? One for winter solstice, one for the first full moon of the season, one for this and one for that. Ugh, one of these days, I’m just going to say ‘no’.
But then again, I guess I do owe them something for taking me in. I mean, it’s not everyday that your village gets attacked and in the same day you get the affinity for the elements and a village takes you in, seeing a prophecy. I mean usually, people see a dangerous, young girl. Thankfully, this town’s prophecy said that a young girl that was gifted with elements –me- would become their priestess.
I mean really, who could complain about this? I had just become homeless and then this village says that they’d take me in if I’d agree to stay in the temple that had awesome food and gorgeous clothes.
Yeah, I’d say that I owe ‘em something.
I put the last of my hairpins in my long raven colored hair and took a big breath. I heard the council elder start introducing me.
“Time to get this service started.” I took a deep breath and stepped out into the bright sunset.
“I call among the elements. Come; bless this season and this town. We offer our sacrifice as payment!” I looked towards the table that had been stacked high with foods and goods of all sorts. As I raised my hand, I felt the rush of wind, the heat of fire followed by the coolness of water and the smell of the spring that rushed around me.
The food and goods glowed before vanishing. Hey, I just said that the gods didn’t need all these sacrifices, never that I didn’t believe in them.
After everything had disappeared, I looked over the crowd who now bowed their heads in respect for the Great Ones. I smiled as I caught the glances of the mischievous children who giggled before running off.
I also noticed that there was a new face in the crowd. The young man had shaggy brown hair and piercing eyes that caught mine and my breath. I always thought of the whole love at first sight thing to be a myth. I guess either I had been wrong for a while or I was now part of a myth. Let’s hope it’s the later of the two.
As the crowd got noisier, people started to cross my path and vision. I greeted them as they did me, but when I looked up, the pale man was gone.
Vanished.
I started to look around, but after finding no one within the hour that I was there, I gave up. The sun was already hiding and it was getting pretty late.
I went back to the temple to see that one of the generous families had left me a fruit basket with a thank you note. I smiled and took a fruit with me to the balcony. I ate the star fruit before pouring myself a small glass of wine.
I had only turned my back for a second or less, but when I turned back towards the railing, I found a dark rose waiting for me with a note attached.
‘Turn around and look up.’
I did as the note instructed and found the mystery man sitting on the roof above me. He smiled and jumped down.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say ‘hello’ earlier, but you were busy. I’m Damian.” He said reaching his hand out.
“Nice to meet you, Damian. I’m Eris.” I said putting my hand in his. He kissed the back of it and smiled, his lips lingering there before pulling away.
“I know who you are. I’ve been watching quite a few of your services.”
I gave him a sarcastic laugh. “Oh yeah, that doesn’t sound like a stalker at all.” I said going inside for a glass for the rose. He followed me in silently. In fact if he hadn’t spoken, I’d have sworn that he was still outside.
“At least I admit to it. Would you prefer if I had lied about it?”
He had a point.
I sighed and turned around to face him. Unfortunately, he was closer than I had thought. When I turned, he was so close that our lips almost met. I felt my face heat up as my thoughts wandered. He was smirking and before I knew it he’d leaned closer for a kiss. My eyes widened as he pulled away.
“Sorry, I loose control very rarely. It’s just that you look and smell amazing.” His voice was soft and as he finished he came closer for another kiss.
This time I was prepared and put my hand on his chest to stop him. He hesitated before pulling away.
“You said I smell a certain way, what are you, a wolf?” I asked him almost sarcastically. I don’t think anything could have prepared me for his answer, though.
“No, just the opposite.” He said as he bared his fangs.
“Vampire?” I said in disbelief.
His expression turned stony. “Aren’t you going to run now? To save your immortal soul?” There was a sarcastic edge to his voice.
“First off, I will never, ever judge someone for their species and second,” I paused and his stony face softened to something like curiosity. “Second, it seems like I’ve met you somewhere before… Why would I run from-?”
I was cut off by another kiss that seemed needier than the first. I pulled back again and he followed with a disappointed groan.
I gave a small laugh followed by a soft sigh. “We can’t be seen together. This town expects me to be their role model. That means that I have to be the one who follows the rules set down by the elders.” I was pulled into his chest closely.
“And this bothers the great high priestess? You’re afraid of what people think of you as?”
“No, I’m afraid of what they’d do if they found out about you. I may have the affinity for the four elements, but I can’t stop the whole town.”
He held me tight and we stood in silence for a while. He stroked my hair and then pulled away looking into my eyes.
“Then rest and be assured that no one will know about us until you are ready for them to.”
And with that he kissed my forehead and vanished into the night. Neither of us noticed the shadowy figure in the dark watching us.
~x------------------ ------------------x~
“Priestess! Priestess! You have to wake up!”
I grumbled for the voice to leave me alone and let me sleep for a few more minutes.
“Eris! Wake up!”
I sat straight up. No one ever used my name unless something was terribly wrong.
“Come quick! The elders want to see you.”
I jumped out of bed and threw on a dark green plain dress. The young girl that had summoned me, stood outside the door. I followed her as she led me down to the town’s center. When we got there, I stopped in my tracks.
The whole town had been summoned and now watched as I made my way to the center area where the elders stood waiting.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the town. You have been summoned to witness the arrest and execution of the High Priestess, Eris.”
I was asking the people around me what this was all about when my head shot up in shock. The crowd gasped and immediately started whispering and talking as the guards grabbed my arms, dragging me away from the crowd as if I were a threat to them.
“On what charges?!” A familiar voice from the crowd yelled. I tried to find the speaker, but there was too much commotion.
The elder cleared his throat. “Eris, you have been charged with treason and becoming involved with the Dark Ones.”
There was more shouting and then a blur of movement. Before I had blinked, Damian was held by a silver dagger at his neck by an unfamiliar face. The cloaked man whispered something to Damian and his eyes got wider.
“Eris…” he whispered barely loud enough for me to hear.
“Damian… I’m so sorry.” A tear threatened to fall as I blinked back my fury.
“You see!” the elder called out pointing to us. “They acknowledge each other!”
There were some gasps and more shouts from the crowd as we were both dragged to two stone pillars. We were both bound by thick silver chains as the elders began their own ceremony.
“To purify this good town, we offer these two in sacrifice to our great gods!” As he spoke, people had begun to pile wood around us while someone else brought a torch forward.
“You have cursed this town by doing this and you know it! It will forever be on your conscience!” I said to the elder when he stopped in front of me. I was still trying to contain my beating heart when he took the torch from the guard.
“We trusted you. Let the fact that you have betrayed us be on your conscience.” He said as he lit the kindling in several places.
I looked over to see Damian fighting against the flame and silver. He paused and our eyes met before mine went blind from the smoke.
“This town shall never again know of growth whist you remain ignorant of love. Accept the love that you deem forbidden and you shall know of beauty. Until then, perish as we have!” I shouted the curse over the flames.
I summoned the last of my energy to call the elements to both Damian and I. The flames leapt higher as I left a small spell.
“The only things that shall grow beautifully will be the two rose plants that shall forever bloom on these pillars. Never shall they die until they are taken from their vines.” As I spoke, a shimmering mist fell over the both of us as small green shoots started to grow despite the flames licking the pillars greedily.
I smirked as the darkness engulfed the both of us for the last time.

~x------------------The End------------------x~
Or was it?

Description

Yet another service for this town. Sheesh, how many did they need? One for winter solstice, one for the first full moon of the season, one for this and one for that. Ugh, one of these days, I’m just going to say ‘no’.
But then again, I guess I do owe them something for taking me in. I mean, it’s not everyday that your village gets attacked and in the same day you get the affinity for the elements and a village takes you in, seeing a prophecy. I mean usually, people see a dangerous, young girl. Thankfully, this town’s prophecy said that a young girl that was gifted with elements –me- would become their priestess.
I mean really, who could complain about this? I had just become homeless and then this village says that they’d take me in if I’d agree to stay in the temple that had awesome food and gorgeous clothes.
Yeah, I’d say that I owe ‘em something.
I put the last of my hairpins in my long raven colored hair and took a big breath. I heard the council elder start introducing me.
“Time to get this service started.” I took a deep breath and stepped out into the bright sunset.
“I call among the elements. Come; bless this season and this town. We offer our sacrifice as payment!” I looked towards the table that had been stacked high with foods and goods of all sorts. As I raised my hand, I felt the rush of wind, the heat of fire followed by the coolness of water and the smell of the spring that rushed around me.
The food and goods glowed before vanishing. Hey, I just said that the gods didn’t need all these sacrifices, never that I didn’t believe in them.
After everything had disappeared, I looked over the crowd who now bowed their heads in respect for the Great Ones. I smiled as I caught the glances of the mischievous children who giggled before running off.
I also noticed that there was a new face in the crowd. The young man had shaggy brown hair and piercing eyes that caught mine and my breath. I always thought of the whole love at first sight thing to be a myth. I guess either I had been wrong for a while or I was now part of a myth. Let’s hope it’s the later of the two.
As the crowd got noisier, people started to cross my path and vision. I greeted them as they did me, but when I looked up, the pale man was gone.
Vanished.
I started to look around, but after finding no one within the hour that I was there, I gave up. The sun was already hiding and it was getting pretty late.
I went back to the temple to see that one of the generous families had left me a fruit basket with a thank you note. I smiled and took a fruit with me to the balcony. I ate the star fruit before pouring myself a small glass of wine.
I had only turned my back for a second or less, but when I turned back towards the railing, I found a dark rose waiting for me with a note attached.
‘Turn around and look up.’
I did as the note instructed and found the mystery man sitting on the roof above me. He smiled and jumped down.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say ‘hello’ earlier, but you were busy. I’m Damian.” He said reaching his hand out.
“Nice to meet you, Damian. I’m Eris.” I said putting my hand in his. He kissed the back of it and smiled, his lips lingering there before pulling away.
“I know who you are. I’ve been watching quite a few of your services.”
I gave him a sarcastic laugh. “Oh yeah, that doesn’t sound like a stalker at all.” I said going inside for a glass for the rose. He followed me in silently. In fact if he hadn’t spoken, I’d have sworn that he was still outside.
“At least I admit to it. Would you prefer if I had lied about it?”
He had a point.
I sighed and turned around to face him. Unfortunately, he was closer than I had thought. When I turned, he was so close that our lips almost met. I felt my face heat up as my thoughts wandered. He was smirking and before I knew it he’d leaned closer for a kiss. My eyes widened as he pulled away.
“Sorry, I loose control very rarely. It’s just that you look and smell amazing.” His voice was soft and as he finished he came closer for another kiss.
This time I was prepared and put my hand on his chest to stop him. He hesitated before pulling away.
“You said I smell a certain way, what are you, a wolf?” I asked him almost sarcastically. I don’t think anything could have prepared me for his answer, though.
“No, just the opposite.” He said as he bared his fangs.
“Vampire?” I said in disbelief.
His expression turned stony. “Aren’t you going to run now? To save your immortal soul?” There was a sarcastic edge to his voice.
“First off, I will never, ever judge someone for their species and second,” I paused and his stony face softened to something like curiosity. “Second, it seems like I’ve met you somewhere before… Why would I run from-?”
I was cut off by another kiss that seemed needier than the first. I pulled back again and he followed with a disappointed groan.
I gave a small laugh followed by a soft sigh. “We can’t be seen together. This town expects me to be their role model. That means that I have to be the one who follows the rules set down by the elders.” I was pulled into his chest closely.
“And this bothers the great high priestess? You’re afraid of what people think of you as?”
“No, I’m afraid of what they’d do if they found out about you. I may have the affinity for the four elements, but I can’t stop the whole town.”
He held me tight and we stood in silence for a while. He stroked my hair and then pulled away looking into my eyes.
“Then rest and be assured that no one will know about us until you are ready for them to.”
And with that he kissed my forehead and vanished into the night. Neither of us noticed the shadowy figure in the dark watching us.
~x------------------ ------------------x~
“Priestess! Priestess! You have to wake up!”
I grumbled for the voice to leave me alone and let me sleep for a few more minutes.
“Eris! Wake up!”
I sat straight up. No one ever used my name unless something was terribly wrong.
“Come quick! The elders want to see you.”
I jumped out of bed and threw on a dark green plain dress. The young girl that had summoned me, stood outside the door. I followed her as she led me down to the town’s center. When we got there, I stopped in my tracks.
The whole town had been summoned and now watched as I made my way to the center area where the elders stood waiting.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the town. You have been summoned to witness the arrest and execution of the High Priestess, Eris.”
I was asking the people around me what this was all about when my head shot up in shock. The crowd gasped and immediately started whispering and talking as the guards grabbed my arms, dragging me away from the crowd as if I were a threat to them.
“On what charges?!” A familiar voice from the crowd yelled. I tried to find the speaker, but there was too much commotion.
The elder cleared his throat. “Eris, you have been charged with treason and becoming involved with the Dark Ones.”
There was more shouting and then a blur of movement. Before I had blinked, Damian was held by a silver dagger at his neck by an unfamiliar face. The cloaked man whispered something to Damian and his eyes got wider.
“Eris…” he whispered barely loud enough for me to hear.
“Damian… I’m so sorry.” A tear threatened to fall as I blinked back my fury.
“You see!” the elder called out pointing to us. “They acknowledge each other!”
There were some gasps and more shouts from the crowd as we were both dragged to two stone pillars. We were both bound by thick silver chains as the elders began their own ceremony.
“To purify this good town, we offer these two in sacrifice to our great gods!” As he spoke, people had begun to pile wood around us while someone else brought a torch forward.
“You have cursed this town by doing this and you know it! It will forever be on your conscience!” I said to the elder when he stopped in front of me. I was still trying to contain my beating heart when he took the torch from the guard.
“We trusted you. Let the fact that you have betrayed us be on your conscience.” He said as he lit the kindling in several places.
I looked over to see Damian fighting against the flame and silver. He paused and our eyes met before mine went blind from the smoke.
“This town shall never again know of growth whist you remain ignorant of love. Accept the love that you deem forbidden and you shall know of beauty. Until then, perish as we have!” I shouted the curse over the flames.
I summoned the last of my energy to call the elements to both Damian and I. The flames leapt higher as I left a small spell.
“The only things that shall grow beautifully will be the two rose plants that shall forever bloom on these pillars. Never shall they die until they are taken from their vines.” As I spoke, a shimmering mist fell over the both of us as small green shoots started to grow despite the flames licking the pillars greedily.
I smirked as the darkness engulfed the both of us for the last time.

~x------------------The End------------------x~
Or was it?